Not All Black and White

Alice stepped out from her San Francisco apartment into the boring, grey atmosphere. She was dressed in a long sun-dress and simple flats that she hoped didn’t clash. Alice was leaving for a picnic to celebrate the anniversary of her husband of 4 years, 1 day, 10 hours, 57 minutes, and 43 seconds. She made sure to pay extra attention to the details around her and could be quite a nervous wreck. This was due to the fact that Alice was hiding a deep, dark secret. Alice couldn’t see color. Her world is as black and white as Kansas in The Wizard of Oz. This meant she had not yet found her soulmate. Everybody in this world is born seeing in black and white until they find the love of their life, and only then is color revealed. Even though she was sure her husband Josh was the one, she was still, quite literally, color blind.

Alice knew she had to cave and tell Josh today. She couldn’t handle keeping a secret from someone who had been her best friend since she was fourteen. Alice hoped he wouldn’t throw her away like a stray banana peel over something like this. Before she knew it, Alice was beginning to approach their usual picnic spot on top of a hill which overlooked the blinding white and gray sunset. Josh’s face formed the goofiest grin as soon as he spotted the love of his life walking towards him. Alice saw the typical square patterned picnic blanket donning all of her favorite foods, including a box of mini Bundt cakes from the local bakery. She may not be able to tell that there are rainbow colored sprinkles in the glazed icing or see how dark red each of the strawberry garnishes are, but she was glad she could taste them.

“Wow, everything looks lovely, Josh! I wouldn’t expect anything less,” Alice stated, before shakily plopping down due to nerves.

“Aw thanks, Al,” Josh said smiling and giving her a small peck on the head. “And I must say that’s an interesting color palette you have going on there. I didn’t think you had it in you to combine red shoes with a purple —”

“Josh, I can’t see them,” Alice blurted out unexpectedly, slapping a hand over her mouth as she realized the words she had just uttered. The mood was officially ruined.

“What are you talking about?”

Josh’s face now held a look of shock and confusion.

“I mean, I still can’t see color, Josh,” Alice said ashamed, her head hanging in her hands.

“I’m so sorry I tried to —”

“Alice, you’ve got to be joking right now. How could you lie to me, of all people, for practically over four years?”

Josh was now standing and pacing, trying to comprehend the news. Alice just sat on her

knees, mouth agape and silent. A single tear tumbled out of her eye as fast as her secret had left her mouth.

“What are people going to think of us now? Our relationship was built on a lie, Alice,”

Josh said, sounding more hurt than angry. “You do realize your soulmate is out there looking for you, right? You’re not supposed to be with me.”

“No, Josh, my soulmate isn’t out there,” Alice said in an exasperated tone. “He’s standing right here.”

Alice stood up and slowly approached Josh, timidly grabbing at his hand. He looked away, but let her take it anyway.

“I’m not letting you or any color of the rainbow tell me who I’m supposed to be with when I already know,” Alice said, softening the tone of her voice.

“But Alice, you know that’s not how things work. We’d be the talk of the town if somebody found out.”

“Well then let them talk, Josh! If they can’t realize that you’re worth more to me than anything else then that’s their problem. Besides, I won’t tell if you won’t,” Alice said, now dawning a smile she knew made Josh’s heart melt.

Just as she had predicted, Josh took one look at Alice’s face and couldn’t help but grin back at her.

“Well how can I be mad at a face like that? I can keep our secret as long as you want me too.”

Alice may not have been able to see color like everyone else, but her world was a lot less dull with Josh by her side.